Kids’ Damper

Here’s a quick and easy recipe for making Damper (Camp Fire Bread) with kids. This recipe is taken from my new cookbook Hungry Campers cookbook (Hardie Grant Explore), due out October 1 2013. See here for more information.

To make life a bit easier at the campsite, if you know you’re going to make this when you’re camping, weigh out the flour, salt and sugar into a ziploc bag at home, then all you have to do is add the butter and milk.

Makes: 6 small breads

300 g (2 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra as needed

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons sugar

2 tablespoons butter

250-310 ml (1 – 1 ¼ cups) milk

one Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and rub into the flour using your fingertips until it is all incorporated.

two Add the milk gradually and knead to combine, adding enough milk to make a dough that isn’t too sticky and that can be easily kneaded. If it’s too sticky or wet, it will drop off the stick when it is being cooked. Knead in the bowl for about 10 minutes until soft and elastic, giving everyone a turn, sharing the fun.

three Divide the damper into six portions, form into oval shapes and mold around thick sticks.

four With parental supervision, let the kids cook the bread over the fire for about 10-15 minutes, turning the bread regularly, until golden brown on all sides. When the bread is cooked, it will sound hollow when knocked.

five Wait for 5 minutes, then remove from the stick and fill with your favourite filling.